Kevin's Corner

Denver Zoo Staff Helps Save The Life Of A Newborn Tamandua [PICTURES]

by Kevin Mussman,posted Mar 20 2014 12:12PM

A newborn baby at the Denver Zoo is alive, thanks to the amazing efforts of the Zoo staff and veterinarians!

Photo: Denver Zoo

On March 7, Southern tamandua Rio gave birth to her first offspring, believed to be female, whom keepers have named Cayenne. Unfortunately, Rio left the baby unattended within the first 24 hours and was not allowing her to nurse. Staff stepped in to give supplementary feedings day and night while monitoring the baby’s condition. They continued to give Rio time to bond with and nurse her baby, and Rio is slowly learning her role as a mother. Little by little, Rio is becoming more accustomed to Cayenne behind-the-scenes at the Zoo’s Gates Animal Housing Center.

Photo: Denver Zoo

“We knew from our conversations with experts at other zoos that it can take a new tamandua mother a while to develop maternal instincts, and first births of this species typically have low success rates,” says Denver Zoo Education Animal Programs Manager Kristin Smith. “We were determined, though, to make sure this baby would survive while Rio figured out how to be a good mom.”